The base of former Gov. Pat Quinn's salary is protected under the pension overhaul he signed into law, but like other state employees, future hikes will be reduced should the court uphold its constitutionality.

Delays in analyzing evidence have prompted Champaign County prosecutors to drop murder charges against Devon Craig in connection with last summer's shooting death of Allen Redding. But those charges could be refiled later.

University of Illinois entomology professor May Berenbaum says she was tickled to find a movie featuring a female entomologist for her annual festival devoted to science fiction movies with dubious insect science.